MovieChat Forums > Queimada (1970) Discussion > Brando's 'Best Performance'

Brando's 'Best Performance'

posted 18 years ago by aybayb
40 replies | jump to latest

In response to a question during a Larry King interview, Brando claimed this was his best performance EVER. Rather than allowing Brando to tell us why he considered it his best, Mr. King (as is his wont) interrupted Brando in mid-sentence and changed the subject to ask him something trivial and inane. I've never forgiven Larry King for that.

I had always considered it as Brando's best. He even LOOKED beautiful in it! The movie, itself, is a brilliant study on the subjects of Imperialism/Colonialism/Capitalism. I think it should be REQUIRED viewing for every high school student in America; and it is particularly relevant to the USA's current fiasco in Iraq...and its pending fiascos elsewhere in the world on behalf of the mega-corporations that dictate America's foreign policies.

"The risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom."

[–] hockeynut16 18 years ago

Cannot agree that this was Brando's best performance. Surprised he said that. Note:Viewed 112 min. dubbed USA version.

[–] kbrai 18 years ago

not his best, but definitly in the top 3

"Im just a bum sitting in a motor home on a film set, BRANDO said, and they come looking for ZEUS".

[–] elwyn1932 18 years ago

aybayb, i agree that it is one of Brando's best performances (top 4. It's a wicked performance and you just cannot take your eyes off him. I would have loved to hear Marlon's reasons for why he liked his performance in this film more than any other. His response would have been very subjective and personal; remember he walked out the room the first time he saw himself in "On the Waterfront," but he conceded later on and happily accepted his 1st Oscar.

Indeed, Brando was beautiful in the film with beard, blond hair and a touch of the dandy (purple scarf). I think he was at his most handsome in late 60s and early 70s anyway.

[–] aybayb 17 years ago

I'm glad to hear that "Burn" has another fan, Elwyn1932. It seems that so few people have ever seen it. Much of its allure for me (besides Brando's excellent performance) is the politics of the movie and its relevance not only to the time of the Vietnam War, but to so many other colonial and neo-colonial "adventures" (including the current misadventure in Iraq).

Damn that Larry King! I was never a big fan of his; but he managed to earn a place on my permanent sh*t list when he interrupted Brando's explanation of why he saw "Burn" as his best performance.

I agree that Brando is strikingly handsome and his character perfectly dandified in this movie. I've always found something of a homo-erotic subtext in his relationships with the other male characters.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"The risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom."

[–] elwyn1932 17 years ago

"always found something of a homo-erotic subtext in his relationships with the other male characters."

Hmmm, an interesting take on Brando's portrayal as Sir William Walker. I myself don't see the homoerotic subtext but Brando's acting is so layered that you can read it many ways. I do think Brando's effeteness was an appropriate interpertation of an upperclass English gentleman. The choice of wearing purple was both deliberate and symbolic of his power.

I plan to revisit the film soon and watch it with friends. You're on the money about its revelance to our current times and the United States' "neo-colonial adventures" in Iraq and elsewhere.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] gfourmil 17 years ago

as i have mentioned, elsewhere on this site, Brando did say this was his best---
yet i find 'one-eyed-jacks', 'on the waterfront' near equals. surprised and happy to note others have found this 'jewel'---as in 'one-eyed-jacks' we get to see the Explosive' side of him briefly---fantastic---

the power, aside from its directing, camera-work, does rest in the curious dichotomy of colonialism and ethics---he notes this well in comments. you may wish to peek at my review, re: just how mr. crowe's character in 'master and commander' is a near perfect klone of Brando's part.

as for mr. king? give me a break---the only 'talking-head' worth watching is charlie rose--as oliver stone notes in 'the special-features' of 'natural born killers', where he's interviewed by 'chuckie'--american media is a deadly extension of political interest'---a chilling reminder of mr. goerbel's 'capture' of media to foster nazi take-over---

Brando's brilliant portrayal of this is well-put, and considering his enormous support of Native-Americans, the fact he retired to a remote island, vs. malibu?
'i think that says it all'.---

[–] Tashtago 17 years ago

It might be one of Brando's best performances but I've never been able to sit through the film. I find the narrative a mess and the rest of the acting semi-professional. Others have mentioned his great acting in On the Waterfront, One Eyed Jacks (my favorite), but how about Streetcar?, also Last Tango in Paris, Sayonara , and the Missouri Breaks.

[–] gfourmil 17 years ago

yeah 'one-eyed-jacks', but he was also incredible in 'the missouri breaks'---
if not familiar with 'Italian cinema'? this may 'throw' you---as an italian vet, could be better---bur still way above average---certainly the others may rival this work---but he said it---

[–] Didisha 17 years ago

I agree with... Brando! It seems to me his best performance.

"The beauty of life is in small details, not in big events."
- Jim Jarmusch

[–] drswagger 17 years ago

The Brando/King interview is up on youtube. I just saw the part you're talking about. Brando does not say it was his best performance. He says, "I've tried hard in a movie called "Burn.""

And King does not cut him off. Brando's dog barks during the answer and then the topic changes to his dog.

[–] kbrai 17 years ago

brando in his autobio says that the best acting he did in his life was in BURN

"Im just a bum sitting in a motor home on a film set, BRANDO said, and they come looking for ZEUS".

[–] drswagger 17 years ago

Well then I stand to be corrected.

[–] MoneyMagnet 17 years ago

I generally don't care for Marlon Brando, but I thought he was outstanding in this.

[–] samsan_lee 17 years ago

"I had always considered it as Brando's best. He even LOOKED beautiful in it! The movie, itself, is a brilliant study on the subjects of Imperialism/Colonialism/Capitalism. I think it should be REQUIRED viewing for every high school student in America; and it is particularly relevant to the USA's current fiasco in Iraq...and its pending fiascos elsewhere in the world on behalf of the mega-corporations that dictate America's foreign policies. "

absolutely right, and I'm not surprised Brando commented on it.

He was a man of conscience for the people, working in the Civil Rights movements of the 60s.

"“If the vacuum formed by Dr. King’s death isn’t filled with concern and understanding and a measure of love, then I think we all are really going to be lost here in this country.”
-Marlon Brando

[–] MovieWiz66 16 years ago

I agree totally. Brando was the very definition of "rebel". I think this is one of his most underrated performances. He has had so many great performances that it is hard to say which is better than the other,personally I loved him in the quirky western "Missouri Breaks" in which he plays a cross-dressing,murdering regulator who goes to war with Jack Nicholson. Right on about the current war on terror..which is really a war on freedom.

He who cant speak freely..is NOT FREE! Impeach Bush

[–] csu16387 17 years ago

It's said that Marlon Brando believed Burn contained his best performance.

I haven't seen this movie yet, but I want to. This looks like a fascinating political drama.

"Dry your eyes baby, it's out of character."

[–] aybayb 17 years ago

Good luck, csu16387....it's very hard to find this movie. I believe it was actively suppressed for years. I doubt you'll ever find it on mainstream TV; but I'm sure if you search off-beat video stores and various 'radical' venues you WILL come across it. It's very much worth your efforts.

"The risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom."

[–] MoneyMagnet 17 years ago

Ummm... I rented it off of Netflix. It's really not difficult to find any more.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] poe-30 16 years ago

It played on TV when I saw it. I really liked this film. I'd agree with those who say it is a far from perfect movie, but somehow I really liked it. In particular I liked Brando in this role.

[–] kennethpitchford 15 years ago

Yeah, it ran this week on Encore. It was only the third or fourth time I've seen it. The first time was in 1969 on its opening night in Manhattan. Brando is without question at his best ever. His British accent is astonishing, especially the diction. So much for his mumbling.

[I realize that, as someone has pointed out, Walker, the character he plays, was not British at all, but an American; but in this film, he is British.]

In fact, his accent is a major part of Brando's performance. It is not only thoroughly Oxbridge, but just a touch effeminate - thus the sense that I also get that he plays the character in a homoerotic way.

And yes, the movie is not perfeclty edited. The voice-over covering the ten year gap in the plot is gross. But evidently Pontecorvo was running out of funds. The movie didn't do well and never became a cult classic like 'The Battle of Algers,' but it is a great movie, nonetheless, and captures Brando at his best, surely no small feat.
—Posted by kp

[–] xragingbullx 15 years ago

For people subscribed to netflix, its currently available instantly if you want to take a look. I'm re-watching it now.

[–] aybayb 15 years ago

Thanks for the heads-up, xragingbullx. This might be the kick-in-the-behind I needed to take the plunge and subscribe to netflix.

This movie is timeless as far as explaining the 'foreign policy' of the Great Powers and their corporate sponsors.

"The risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom."